Written Answers Thursday 14 April 2005

Scottish Executive

Animal Welfare

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget 2005 announcement regarding the establishment of a new animal health agency; which ministers participated in any discussions; whether it will place the minutes of any discussions in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; whether the new agency will have offices in Scotland; how it will report to the Executive and the Parliament; what impact the agency will have on the provisions of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill; who will appoint its board; what role the Executive will have in such appointments, and how much of the agency’s budget will be for devolved functions.

Ross Finnie: No discussions about the proposed animal health regulatory agency have been held with Scottish ministers. Animal health and welfare policy and its enforcement are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and we will monitor development of the UK Government’s proposals to see if there are any lessons to be learnt from this approach.

Asthma

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking, or will take, to ensure that all people with asthma have access to an asthma specialist when their asthma is difficult to control, in light of the recent publication of Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Asthma UK Scotland.

Mr Andy Kerr: The provision of specialist services for asthma on referral from GP practices is a matter for NHS boards to arrange, based on their assessment of local needs.

Asthma

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or will take, to ensure that every medical practice has an asthma-trained specialist, in light of the recent publication of Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Asthma UK Scotland.

Mr Andy Kerr: The new GMS contract came into effect on 1 April 2004. It requires GPs to provide services for asthma patients, and people with other chronic diseases, which include on-going treatment for their specific needs and referral to specialist services as appropriate. The Quality and Outcomes Framework recognises and rewards GPs for good chronic disease management.

Asthma

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to have an asthma-trained specialist in every medical practice, in light of the recent publication of Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Asthma UK Scotland.

Mr Andy Kerr: This information is not available centrally.

Asthma

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that all people with asthma fully understand how to use their medication so that they have control over their symptoms.

Mr Andy Kerr: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is now working, with input from Asthma UK Scotland, on a project to develop and promote personal management plans for asthma. The asthma project is being supported by funding from the Scottish Executive and includes training programmes for medical professionals.

Children's Hearings System

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on the review of the children’s hearings system.

Euan Robson: Phase 2 of the Review of the Children’s Hearings System will be issued in the next few weeks.

Climate Change

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to assess and estimate the future impact of climate change on each dam and reservoir; whether such information is available to the public and, if so, how it can be obtained.

Lewis Macdonald: The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) commissioned research on the climate change impacts on the safety of British reservoirs, the final report on which is available on the Defra website at:  http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/rs/pdf/climate_change_reservoirs.pdf .

Communities

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist communities to develop their own social enterprises, including very small businesses.

Malcolm Chisholm: In December 2004, I announced the opening of the three funding streams for the £18 million Futurebuilders Scotland programme. To date these funds, which are administered by Communities Scotland, have committed some £1.6 million to 45 social economy organisations and a further £150,000 to 85 individual social entrepreneurs. Communities Scotland is also promoting local Social Economy Partnerships which will support community based social economy organisations.

Construction Industry

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to attract more women into the construction industry.

Allan Wilson: The gender balance in the construction industry is not representative of the population of modern Scotland. We welcome the work of the CITB-ConstructionSkills, the sector skills council for the construction industry, which is working with industry employers to address the issue. The CITB-ConstructionSkills is responding to the need for equal opportunity and diversity in the construction industry. It has a range of initiatives in place to encourage young women to consider a career within the industry, and to encourage employers to recruit the best candidate for the job regardless of gender or race.

Dental Health

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost is of treating the effects of tooth decay in children.

Rhona Brankin: Specific information on the annual cost of treating the effects of tooth decay in children is not available. The cost of treating children under NHS general dental services in 2003-04, exclusive of orthodontic treatment, was approximately £35,148,000 1 . The cost of treating children under NHS community or NHS hospital dental services cannot be identified separately from the cost of treating adults.

  Source: MIDAS (Management Information and Dental Accounting System).

  Note: 1. Consists of capitation fees (£24,326,000) and child item of service fees (£19,214,000), minus the cost of child orthodontic treatment (£8,392,000).

Diabetes

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new cases of diabetes have been reported through the NHS in each of the last 25 years and, of these, how many have been reported in children.

Mr Andy Kerr: Comprehensive data on the number of people newly diagnosed with diabetes in Scotland is currently not available, other than for children with type 1 diabetes; see table.

  New Cases of Type 1 Diabetes in Children: 1984-2003

  

Year
New Cases
Incidence Per 100,000


1984
231
22.7


1985
215
21.5


1986
202
20.6


1987
211
21.9


1988
214
22.4


1989
231
24.2


1990
219
22.9


1991
220
23.0


1992
251
26.0


1993
251
25.9


1994
236
24.3


1995
283
29.4


1996
252
26.4


1997
271
28.6


1998
273
29.0


1999
290
31.1


2000
287
31.2


2001
301
33.3


2002
294
33.0


2003
311
35.4



  Source: Scottish Study Group for the Care of the Young Diabetic.

  National estimates of the numbers of people consulting GPs for diabetes, since 1998, can be given based on the number of patients seen for the condition in general medical practices participating in PTI (Practice Team Information). PTI data are obtained from a sample of Scottish general practices whose population is broadly representative of the Scottish population in terms of age, sex, deprivation category and rural/urban mix.

  The estimated number of new GP diagnoses of diabetes in Scotland, based on PTI data, is shown in the following table, for the years 1998–2003. The PTI estimated figures are likely to be an underestimate of the true number of people newly diagnosed with diabetes in Scotland as the estimates relate solely to persons who have consulted a GP concerning their diabetes. Patients who are managed entirely by secondary care services for their diabetes, or who are seen exclusively by the practice nurse, will not be counted.

  Estimated Annual Number of Patients with a First GP Diagnosis of Diabetes in Children (15 Years and Under) and Persons of All Ages; Years Ending 31 December 1998–2003

  

Year
Estimated Number of First GP Diagnoses


15 Years and Under
All Ages


1998
220
15,400


1999
300
12,400


2000
310
14,700


2001
210
15,500


2002
190
15,100


2003
250
14,400

Education

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on musical activity in schools.

Peter Peacock: Music is an important part of every child’s education and has a very firm place in the curriculum.

Enterprise

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise has given any notice of a potential underspend in its budget allocation for the financial year 2004-05 and, if so, what the estimated underspend is.

Mr Jim Wallace: Scottish Enterprise generated £17 million of additional income receipts above the estimate contained within the Budget Backing Documents for 2004-05. These were primarily through asset sales, the proceeds of which they were allowed to retain. Consequently, they did not draw down the equivalent amount in grant-in-aid from the Executive.

  However, underspend against their resource budget for 2004-05 is forecast to be less than £17 million. It will be for the Executive to determine the allocation of any end-year underspends available to carry forward into 2005-06, once the departments and the Executive’s overall outturn position for 2004-05 is known. This will be announced to the Scottish Parliament, as in previous years, sometime during the summer.

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise has indicated that there will be no underspend in their budget allocation for 2004-05.

Environment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget 2005 announcement regarding the establishment of a new integrated countryside agency; which ministers participated in any discussions; whether it will place the minutes of any discussions in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; whether the new agency will have offices in Scotland; how it will report to the Executive and the Parliament; who will appoint its board; what role the Executive will have in such appointments, and how much of the agency’s budget will be for devolved functions.

Ross Finnie: The new agency is wholly a Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs body and will have no powers with regard to Scotland. It will have no offices in Scotland, will not report to the Scottish Executive or the Parliament and the Executive will have no say over the appointment of its board or the budgets. The communications relating to the integrated agency will not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre because it is a matter reserved to the UK Government.

Environment Act 1995

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to (a) bring into force or (b) repeal section 24 of the Environment Act 1995.

Lewis Macdonald: The Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 and the forthcoming Controlled Activities Regulations contain provisions that will supersede section 24 of the Environment Act 1995. The Executive therefore intends to lay an order before Parliament which, among other things, will repeal section 24 with effect from 1 April 2006.

European Union

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the benefits accrued to Scotland as a consequence of the First Minister’s presidency of the Group of Regions with Legislative Powers.

Tavish Scott: The First Minister’s Presidency of REGLEG brought a number of important benefits for Scotland.

  Firstly, it has enabled Scotland to drive forward the agenda of REGLEG. Under the Scottish Presidency REGLEG lobbied successfully for recognition of an enhanced role for regions in European decision-making. Most importantly, in relation to the subsidiarity principle, the EU Constitution provides for an effective early-warning reflecting a new level of recognition of the role of legislative regions.

  Our Presidency has also raised the profile of Scotland as a leading legislative region with an important contribution to make to the European governance debate, not only with other legislative regions but also with the European institutions themselves.

Fatal Accident Inquiries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the fairness of prison officers cited in the fatal accident inquiry report by Sheriff Colin McKay on the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002 having been punished but Premier Prison Services having received no penalty for negligence.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The relevant performance measures were applied at the time under the contract.

Fatal Accident Inquiries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what follow-up action it and its agencies are taking in light of the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) report by Sheriff Colin McKay on the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what penalties have been, or will be, imposed on Premier Prison Services by the Scottish Prison Service in light of the findings by the fatal accident inquiry into the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the findings of the fatal accident inquiry into the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002 represent a breach of contract by Premier Prison Services and, if so, what penalties will be imposed as a result of such a breach or breaches.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken in HM Prison Kilmarnock since January 2002 to introduce procedures to ensure compliance with the Director’s Rules, including those referred to specifically in the fatal accident inquiry report on the death of James Barclay.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Where a determination following an FAI makes specific recommendations, the relevant establishment develops an action plan to address these and the company is developing such a plan in this case. In this case, the SPS Controllers based in HM Prison Kilmarnock, will monitor progress against it.

  The SPS already has plans to update its suicide prevention strategy and this will be launched later this year.

Fatal Accident Inquiries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal accident inquiries (FAIs) have been held since May 1999; how many FAIs have related to deaths of prisoners; what time period elapsed between the date of death and the opening of the FAI in each case; how long each FAI took, and what time period elapsed between the conclusion of the evidence sessions and the issuing of the report in each case.

Cathy Jamieson: The number of FAIs held were:

  

Financial Year
No. of FAIs Held


1999-2000
80


2000-01
79


2001-02
64


2002-03
58


2003-04
55


2004-February 2005
36



  Information on the proportion of FAIs which related to deaths of prisoners is not held centrally. The number of prisoners whose deaths have been/will be the subject of an FAI are provided in the following table. However, the FAI would not necessarily be held in the year of death.

  

Financial Year
No. of Deaths of Prisoners in Respect of Which an FAI has Been/Will be Held


1999-2000
26


2000-01
16


2001-02
18


2002-03
16


2003-04
18


2004-05
18



  Information on time periods is not held centrally.

Fatal Accident Inquiries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued any guidelines on how long a fatal accident inquiry can, or should, take to report; if so, what the guidelines are, and, if not, what the reasons are for its position on the matter.

Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has not issued guidelines on the timing of determinations following fatal accident inquiries. The length of time required to prepare such a determination is a matter for the judiciary.

Fatal Accident Inquiries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the fatal accident inquiry into the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002 did not report until March 2005 and what the reasons are for the length of time taken to report.

Cathy Jamieson: The time taken to issue the determination in a fatal accident inquiry is a matter for the judiciary.

Fatal Accident Inquiries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the arrangements are in respect of publishing fatal accident inquiry reports.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Eleanor Emberson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service to respond. Her response is as follows:

  In some cases the judicial determination will be delivered orally in open court at the conclusion of the inquiry.

  When, instead, a written determination is issued, the sheriff clerk will forward a copy to all parties who were represented at the Inquiry. Copies are also made available for the press.

  When the sheriff considers that the determination is likely to be of wider interest, he/she may instruct that a copy be made available on the Scottish Courts website.

Fatal Accident Inquiries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of legal aid provided to participants in fatal accident inquiries has been in each of the last six years.

Cathy Jamieson: Information to the level of detail requested is not held for the years prior to April 2001. The total cost of legal aid and the number of cases for which legal aid was made available for fatal accident inquiries in the last four financial years is listed in the following tables.

  

Expenditure (£)
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Civil Legal Aid
93,808
213,385
416,879
218,982


Advice and Assistance
12,641
12,304
8,786
9,408


Total
106,449
225,689
425,665
228,390



  

Number of Cases
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Civil Legal Aid
14
31
30
26


Advice and Assistance
52
45
45
37


Total
66
76
75
63

Film Industry

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Education and Skills and Skillset regarding the plans for a compulsory levy on film productions to fund training for prospective film makers and what information it has on what proportion of the £500,000 expected to be raised each year will be (a) levied from films made in Scotland and (b) spent on training Scottish-based film makers.

Allan Wilson: Scottish ministers have been fully consulted on the proposal for a compulsory levy on film production in the UK. Dr Lewis Macdonald, the then Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, gave his agreement in August 2004 to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills taking forward work which would consider moving the current voluntary levy onto a compulsory footing.

  The consultation process to consider making the current voluntary levy compulsory is still on-going. I understand however that Skillset and Scottish Screen’s Scottish Industry Skills Panel (SISP), which is a cross industry group, have advised that they see this as a positive step.

  Given the current consultation, I understand that no final decision has been made yet on how any new compulsory levy will be applied or how it will be invested.

  I can advise, however, that under the current voluntary levy, Scotland has been a net beneficiary of the Skills Investment Fund.

Health

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many health inspection nurses have been employed in each of the last five years.

Mr Andy Kerr: The term "health inspection nurse" is not recognised and hence this information is not held centrally.

Health

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children it estimates are clinically obese and what the comparative figures were (a) 10, (b) 20 and (c) 30 years ago.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is not held centrally.

  However, for those NHS board areas for which this information is available, the following tables show the levels of obesity amongst pre-school children (three to three and a half years) and for school children (at primary 1, primary 7 and secondary 3).

  Obesity is a pressing concern for the Scottish Executive. Our health improvement programme focuses strongly on improving diet and raising physical activity levels, for example through healthy school meals, recruitment of 620 Active School Coordinators in addition to a range of measures to improve access to healthy food and increased opportunities for physical activity in schools.

  Table 1, High BMI Distribution (Obese >=95th Centile): Children Receiving a Review in P1 (Four-to-Five Years), P7(11 to 12 years) and S3 (14 to 15 Years); by School Year

  

School 
Year
Number
Examined
Obese (>= 95th) Centile


Number
%


1973-741
 


P1
79 424
5 265
6.6


S3
62 090
4 190
6.7


1983-841
 


P1
57 992
3 025
5.2


S3
66 046
4 241
6.4


1992-931,2
 


P1
39 232
2 671
6.8


S3
18 440
2 250
12.2


2003-043
 


P1
16 693
1 522
9.1


P74
13 800
2 516
18.2


S35
9 579
1 612
16.8



  Source: SMR10, CHSP-S ISD Scotland.

  Notes:

  1. Extracted from School Health (SMR10).

  2. 1993-94 data are not available. Collection of SMR10 ceased in 1993 and therefore school year 1992-93 is the last available year of collection.

  3. Extracted from the Child Health Surveillance Programme: School. Figures are based on information from Argyll and Clyde, Borders, Fife, Lanarkshire, Tayside NHS Boards and West Lothian NHS Trust.

  4. Excludes Tayside where data are not complete.

  5. Excludes Argyll and Clyde and Tayside where no S3 reviews were carried out.

  Table 2

  High BMI Distribution (>=95th Centile): Children Receiving a 39 to 42 Month Review (Three-to-Three-and-a-Half Years) by Year of Birth 1996 to 2000.

  

Year of Birth
Number Examined
Obese (>= 95th) Centile


Number
%


19962
36 395
2 870
7.9


19972
35 444
2 785
7.9


1998
35 660
2 985
8.4


1999
34 722
2 853
8.2


2000
32 314
2 663
8.2



  Source: CHSP-PS ISD Scotland.

  Notes:

  1. Extracted from the Child Health Surveillance Programme: Pre school.

  2. Figures are from the following Health Boards: Argyll and Clyde, Ayrshire and Arran, Borders, Fife, Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Lothian and Tayside. Dumfries and Galloway did not implement the pre-school system until December 2000 and therefore are excluded from 1996 and 1997 figures

Health

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of malnourishment in children have been recorded by the NHS in each of the last 25 years.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is not held centrally.

  However, the tables below show the number of children who have been admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of malnutrition since 1981 and the levels of under-nutrition in pre-school children (three to there-and-a-half-years) and school aged children (at primary 1, primary 7 and secondary 3).

  Whilst the numbers of malnourished children in Scotland are relatively low, The Scottish Executive wants to ensure that every child enjoys a well-balanced, healthy diet. Our health improvement programme focuses strongly on this, for example through healthy school meals, free fruit for primary 1 and two pupils and Breakfast Clubs where children, especially those in low-income areas, can enjoy a healthy start to the day.

  Discharges by Financial Year of Discharge, Scotland, April 1981 to March 2004

  

Year Ending 31 March
Children Aged Under 16 Years


Principal Diagnoses
Secondary Diagnoses
Total


1982
2
-
2


1983
2
4
6


1984
3
3
6


1985
2
2
4


1986
3
2
5


1987
4
-
4


1988
2
5
7


1989
-
1
1


1990
-
2
2


1991
-
1
1


1992
-
3
3


1993
1
1
2


1994
-
4
4


1995
-
1
1


1996
1
1
2


1997
3
5
8


1998
6
6
12


1999
1
5
6


2000
5
6
11


2001
1
4
5


2002
2
2
4


2003
2
3
5


2004
2
3
5


April 1981- March 2004
42
64
106



  Notes:

  1. This information was extracted from the SMR01 linked data set maintained by ISD Scotland. SMR01 records (Scottish Morbidity Records 1) record all in-patient and day case discharges from non-obstetric and non-psychiatric specialties in NHS Hospitals in Scotland.

  2. Figures based on Scottish residents only.

  3. Figures based on patients are presented on an annual basis. Therefore, patients are only counted once a year but the same patient may be counted in different years.

  4. Diagnoses coded using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and ICD-10)

  5. Malnutrition defined as ICD-9: 260-263, ICD-10: E40-E46

  6. Data is provided by financial year of discharge, April 2002 to March 2003.

  7. Up to six diagnoses (1 principal, 5 secondary) are recorded on SMR01 returns.

  Figures have been broken down by principal and secondary diagnoses.

  Source: SMR01 Ref: ISD/HIG/IR2005-00756 Date: 23 March 2005

  Table 2: Low BMI Distribution (Under Nutrition < 2nd Centile): Children Receiving a Review in P1 (Four to Five Years), P7 (11 to 12 Years) and S3 (14 to 15 Years); by school year 1973-74 to 2003-04

  

School Year
No. Examined
Primary 1
Primary 7
Secondary 3


Very Low
(< 2nd Centile)
No. Examined
Very Low
(< 2nd Centile)
No. Examined
Very Low (< 2nd Centile)


Number
%
Number
%
Number
%


1973-74
79,424
1,108
1.4
..
..
..
62,090
1,218
2.0


1974-75
72,354
1,248
1.7
..
..
..
35,272
654
1.9


1975-76
71,397
1,333
1.9
..
..
..
37,763
717
1.9


1976-77
75,724
1,503
2.0
..
..
..
72,804
1,550
2.1


1977-78
71,672
1,346
1.9
..
..
..
76,476
1,501
2.0


1978-79
64,235
1,201
1.9
..
..
..
76,033
1,364
1.8


1979-80
60,411
1,126
1.9
..
..
..
71,623
1,251
1.7


1980-81
60,543
1,048
1.7
..
..
..
73,936
1,316
1.8


1981-82
56,379
1,067
1.9
..
..
..
73,403
1,449
2.0


1982-83
55,703
1,001
1.8
..
..
..
71,064
1,198
1.7


1983-84
57,992
1,051
1.8
..
..
..
66,046
1,246
1.9


1984-85
58,687
1,094
1.9
..
..
..
55,095
1,001
1.8


1985-86
63,461
1,056
1.7
..
..
..
61,475
,978
1.6


1986-87
61,225
1,050
1.7
..
..
..
57,900
936
1.6


1987-88
59,544
989
1.7
..
..
..
56,261
857
1.5


1988-89
54,034
963
1.8
..
..
..
47,067
678
1.4


1989-90
53,044
842
1.6
..
..
..
42,442
582
1.4


1990-91
46,548
772
1.7
..
..
..
27,236
314
1.2


1991-92
42,297
749
1.8
..
..
..
23,949
295
1.2


1992-93
39,232
648
1.7
..
..
..
18,440
206
1.1


1999-003
6,570
92
1.4
9,009
156
1.7
5,267
82
1.6


2000-014
12,739
187
1.5
13,449
193
1.4
10,336
133
1.3


2001-025
12,833
186
1.4
14,055
186
1.3
9,945
137
1.4


2002-036
16,253
231
1.4
14,998
206
1.4
9,144
137
1.5


2003-046,7
16,693
224
1.3
13,800
206
1.5
9,579
153
1.6



  Source: SMR10, CHSP-S ISD Scotland Ref:IR2005-00756.

  Notes:

  1. Data up to school year 1992/93 has been extracted from School Health (SMR10).

  2. Data from school year 1999/00 has been extracted from Child Health Surveillance Programme: School.

  3. Includes Borders, Lanarkshire and West Lothian NHS Trust only.

  4. Includes Borders, Fife, Lanarkshire and West Lothian NHS Trust.

  5. Includes Argyll and Clyde, Borders, Fife, Lanarkshire and West Lothian NHS Trust.

  6. Includes Argyll and Clyde, Borders, Fife, Lanarkshire, Tayside and West Lothian NHS Trust.

  7. Information at S3 excludes Argyll and Clyde and Tayside NHS Boards where this review is not carried out.

  ..Data not collected during this year.

  Table 3: Low BMI Distribution (Under Nutrition < 2nd Centile): Children Receiving 39-42 Month Review (Approx Three-to-Three-and-a-Half Years); by Year of Birth 1995-2000

  

Year of
Birth
No. Examined
Very Low (< 2nd Centile)


Number
%


19952
37,353
 961
2.6


19962
36,663
1,007
2.7


19972
35,804
 934
2.6


1998
35,906
 888
2.5


1999
34,981
 850
2.4


2000
32,534
 893
2.7



  Source: CHSP-PS ISD Scotland Ref:IR2005-00756.

  Notes:

  1. The Child Health Surveillance Programme- Pre school (CHSP-PS) system currently has 10 participating NHS boards (excludes, Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles, Highland and Grampian).

  2. Excludes Dumfries and Galloway who did not implement the system until 2000.

Health

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of daily admissions has been to accident and emergency departments in Glasgow in each of the last seven years, and how this compares to days when Celtic and Rangers football clubs were playing each other, broken down by hospital.

Mr Andy Kerr: Information is not held centrally in the format requested.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist nurses for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease there are in each NHS board.

Mr Andy Kerr: Respiratory nurse specialists work with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory conditions.

  As at 30 September 2004, there were 48 Respiratory Nurse Specialists across NHSScotland. The numbers in each NHS board area are shown in the following table .

  

Argyll and Clyde
7


Ayrshire and Arran
1


Borders
2


Dumfries and Galloway
1


Fife
2


Forth Valley
4


Greater Glasgow
4


Grampian
4


Highland
0


Lanarkshire
8


Lothian
12


Orkney
0


Shetland
0


Tayside
3


Western Isles
0


Scotland
48



  Further information is published on the Scottish Health Statistics website under Workforce Statistics, at www.isdscotland.org/workforce.

Health

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners there are in Scotland and where they are located.

Mr Andy Kerr: Currently there is one PET scanner sited in the John Mallard PET Centre in Aberdeen.

  In March 2003, the Scottish Executive announced £5 million capital investment from 2004-05 to support the development of PET services in Scotland. The three Regional Cancer Advisory Groups and their constituent NHS boards have considered plans for provision of PET scanning, and I expect details of future investment to be confirmed shortly.

  For Scottish patients requiring a PET scan arrangements can continue to be made with the existing PET facility in Aberdeen or elsewhere.

Higher Education

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that fees charged by Scottish universities will not deter prospective students.

Mr Jim Wallace: We have a long tradition of attracting students from all over the world to come to study at Scottish universities. This is something we value and want to continue. At the same time, we have a duty to ensure that Scottish domiciled students continue to have fair access to opportunities to study at our universities. Both the Enterprise and Culture Committee and the Higher Education Review urged ministers to respond to the likely implications of top-up tuition fees being introduced in England. I make no apology for putting the interests of Scottish domiciled students first when developing our response to the introduction of top-up tuition fees in England.

Hospital Acquired Infection

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-11273 by Mr Andy Kerr on 2 November 2004, how many cases of (a) MRSA and (b) other forms of staphylococcus aureus there have been in (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005.

Mr Andy Kerr: A national mandatory healthcare associated infection surveillance system was introduced in 2001 to monitor MRSA bacteraemias (blood infections). This system also collates other Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias (methicillin-sensitive, or MSSA strains). The surveillance is operated by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and it produces quarterly reports. From January 2005 a new system for reporting was introduced in Scotland and this has resulted in more accurate and complete reporting of MRSA bacteraemias.

  These reports show that from January 2001 to September 2004 there were 3,432 episodes of MRSA bacteraemia and 4,429 episodes of MSSA bacteraemia. The total number of episodes of all Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (resistant and non-resistant) for this period is therefore 7,861.

  Table 1: Episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia between January 2001 and September 2004: methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) strains

  

Period
MRSA
MSSA


2001
885
1,033


2002
938
1,214


2003
875
1,259


To September 2004
734
923


Total
3,432
4,429



  In preparing this answer, it has come to my notice that the table provided in the answer to question S2W-11273 on 2 November 2004 incorrectly gives a total figure of 3,942 episodes between 2001 and June 2004. As the main text of the answer makes clear, the correct total was 3,042 episodes.

Justice

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected costs are of operating the trial electronic tagging schemes for offenders in Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Stirling.

Cathy Jamieson: The Executive has set aside up to £1 million to pilot the use of electronic monitoring services in these schemes which are designed to reduce offending on bail.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any provisions in any guidelines for the police which prevent a chief constable investigating allegations made in a BBC documentary and, if so, what provisions.

Cathy Jamieson: No.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of investigations undertaken by the police into alleged incidents within prisons and other incidents outwith prisons resulting from allegations made in televised documentaries in each of the last 20 years and what the outcomes of these investigations were.

Cathy Jamieson: The information requested is not held centrally.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the statement made on behalf of the Chief Constable of Strathclyde police, as reported in the Sunday Herald on Sunday 20 March 2005, that the police do not investigate claims made by a documentary.

Cathy Jamieson: I am aware of the comments made on behalf of the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police. The investigation of specific allegations of criminal activity is a matter for the Chief Constable.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any policy stating that the police are not obliged to investigate criminal investigations made in a televised documentary.

Cathy Jamieson: No.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it prioritises resources between arrests for minor offences, such as crossing a double white line on a road, and police action in respect of falsification of information within a prison in relation to suicide watches.

Cathy Jamieson: Decisions on the use of resources is an operational matter for chief constables.

Ministerial Correspondence

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport will respond to my letter of 5 January 2005, acknowledged on 11 January, regarding the future of the Clyde and Hebridean ferry services.

Nicol Stephen: I replied to the member’s letter on 12 April 2005.

NHS 24

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to employ Gaelic speakers in NHS 24 call centres.

Mr Andy Kerr: NHS 24 currently provides access to 120 different languages through British Telecom’s Language Line, which allows safe, quality-controlled access to an immediate translation service for the Scottish public. There are no plans to recruit Gaelic-speaking nurse advisers specifically, as Language Line is capable of fully meeting demands placed on it from the Gaelic-speaking community - so far, the Gaelic translation service has not been required or requested.

  NHS 24 does have one nurse adviser on the staff who speaks Gaelic, although the individual is employed for their professional and clinical skills rather than their ability to speak Gaelic.

NHS 24

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve access in NHS 24 call centres to geographical knowledge.

Mr Andy Kerr: As NHS 24 was introduced into each NHS board area, a significant programme of work was carried out by NHS 24 and the NHS board to capture a wealth of local data regarding services. This information is held on NHS 24’s national database and helps to support the delivery of care. Each NHS board is responsible for ensuring that updates are passed back to NHS 24 to ensure maximum operational efficiency. NHS 24 has on-going staff awareness training to highlight the contents of this comprehensive database, which details the services available in each local area. This training helps staff to access and navigate the electronic system more effectively.

  NHS 24 is also developing an improved directory of available local services. This will be even more comprehensive and easier to use. It is also planned that this improved system will contain a highly effective, geographical information system which uses the latest technology. This will give NHS 24 staff a greater working knowledge of the geography and road networks which are local to the patient or caller.

  NHS 24 staff and colleagues in the local out-of-hours services remain in regular contact to ensure that patients are seen in the most appropriate place for their care, and by the right professional.

NHS Finance

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take regarding NHS Argyll and Clyde following publication of the Audit Committee’s report on the NHS Argyll and Clyde’s accounts for 2003-04.

Mr Andy Kerr: Having received the Audit Committee’s report on 16 March I need to study the report carefully and think through the implications of the report’s findings and recommendations before making any decisions on the future of NHS Argyll and Clyde.

National Health Service

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a policy on charges for NHS patients, such as for car parking and Patientline TV.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive issued revised guidance on hospital car park charging to NHSScotland on 1 April 2004. There are currently no plans to issue guidance on other charges to patients for facilities, such as Patientline TV.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice has reviewed the evidence from the BBC documentary broadcast on 9 March 2005 on drug trafficking and abuse in HM Prison Kilmarnock and what action she will take.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows: These matters are the responsibility of SPS which is monitoring closely the provider's action plans, the appropriate application of performance measures and a specific monitoring plan by the SPS Controller who is based in HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what breaches of Premier Prison Services contract with the Scottish Prison Service have taken place in HM Prison Kilmarnock and what action the Minister for Justice will take to address such breaches.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out its own investigation into the allegations made in the BBC documentary broadcast on 9 March 2005 in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to address the situation in HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the investigation by Premier Prison Services into allegations made in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock in the BBC documentary on 9 March 2005 to be completed; who is undertaking this investigation; whether any member of the Scottish Prison Service is involved in the investigation; what its terms of reference are, and whether the report arising from it will be made public.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to pursue the allegations made in the BBC documentary on HM Prison Kilmarnock, broadcast on 9 March 2005.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice has issued any instructions to the Scottish Prison Service or the Chief Inspector of Prisons following the allegations made in the BBC documentary broadcast on 9 March 2005 about HM Prison Kilmarnock and, if so, what these instructions were.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  I have met the Chief Executive of the Premier Custodial Group to discuss the issues raised by the broadcast, and the SPS Director of Prison Services, who is responsible for oversight of the HM Prison Kilmarnock contract on behalf of SPS, has met the SPS Controller based there to consider issues which bear on the monitoring and controlling of the contract. He has also met the Director of HM Prison Kilmarnock and discussed the action that is being taken by Premier.

  The company has informed us that it has begun an investigation into the allegations. It has been in contact with the BBC to ask for their co-operation in securing all available information. The SPS will work closely with the company to ensure that all necessary actions are taken.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report on HM Prison Kilmarnock, prepared in November 2004 by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, will be published.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice will authorise publication of the most recent report into HM Prison Kilmarnock by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Cathy Jamieson: The report will be published on 26 April 2005.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice has requested a copy of the documentary evidence used in the BBC programme on HM Prison Kilmarnock, broadcast on 9 March 2005 and, if so, when a copy was received and what action the Executive will take in relation to the allegations contained in the documentary.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has a copy of the programme broadcast by the BBC. Both Premier Prison Services and the Scottish Prison Service have written to ask the BBC for their additional un-broadcast material to assist in the further investigation of this matter. The BBC has refused to provide this material.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the performance of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons; what criteria it uses to measure his performance; what his performance targets are; what level of remuneration he receives; how many days per week he is contracted to work, and what financial, human and office resources he has available to carry out his duties.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the process by which HM Chief Inspector of Prisons was appointed, including when, where and how often the position was advertised; what the job description was; what the person specification for the post was, including experience and qualifications; how many applicants there were; who prepared the shortlist; how many applicants were on the shortlist; who selected the successful candidate; what criteria were used to appoint the successful candidate; what checks were made on the successful applicant’s references and by whom; how long the appointment is for; what the remit of the post is; what performance review will be carried out; who will carry out such a review, and how often it will be carried out.

Cathy Jamieson: HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) was appointed on 18 October 2002, following an open competition advertised in the press and in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code on fair and open competition, which can be found at: www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk .

  The appointment is for four years in the first instance. A copy of the recruitment literature is attached at Annex A.

  There were 56 applicants. Following an initial sift undertaken with the assistance of the Search and Selection company who assisted with this appointment, the interview panel invited seven candidates for final interview. The decision of the panel to appoint he current HMCIP was based on merit against the criteria set out in the recruitment literature. Prior to appointment the Scottish Executive’s Human Resources division carried out standard security, health and reference checks.

  Salary is within SCS Pay Band 1 which from 1 April 2005 has a range of £54,788 - £115,616.

  HMCIP is contracted to work full-time; is responsible for a budget of £315,000 and a core team of four individuals.

  The Scottish Executive is satisfied with the performance of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) which is assessed using the Senior Civil Service performance management system, further details can be found at: www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/senior_civil_service/scs_performance_and_reward/guidance_and_forms/index.asp.

  This includes formal review of performance at least twice a year.

  The business and development objectives set for HMCIP for 2004-05 are:

  To make inspection visits to every prison, four of these being full inspections.

  To complete reports of all such visits within eight weeks and to prepare the annual report on the work of the inspectorate.

  To complete a thematic review of the "provision of personal change programmes for sex offenders who are in custody".

  To review the theoretical framework of inspections and produce standards for inspections.

  To work with the Scottish Prison Service and the Justice Department in producing revised protocols for the operation of HMIP.

  To ensure that the necessary performance management procedures are completed by the due dates for all HMCIP staff.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times it has amended, or sought to amend, draft reports from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons prior to publication in each of the last six years, specifying the relevant reports and showing what the changes were and whether they were accepted by the Chief Inspector.

Cathy Jamieson: With the exception of Annex 5 to the 2000 report on HM Prison Kilmarnock which was removed by the then Minister for Justice for the reasons stated on page 159 of that report, the Scottish Executive has neither amended nor sought to amend any draft report from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons prior to its publication in the past six years. Comment on the factual accuracy of Prison Inspectorate reports is, however, sought from Scottish Prison Service prior to publication in line with widespread practice.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Scottish Prison Service has amended, or sought to amend, draft reports from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) prior to publication in each of the last six years, specifying the relevant reports and showing what the changes were and whether they were accepted by the Chief Inspector.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times Premier Prison Services has amended, or sought to amend, draft reports from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons prior to publication in each of the last six years, specifying the relevant reports and showing what the changes were and whether they were accepted by the Chief Inspector.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  HMCIP determines the form and content of all Prison Inspectorate Reports. However, in line with widespread practice, on the completion of each inspection report a copy is sent to the SPS for comment particularly to check factual accuracy. It is for the Chief Inspector to decide whether to adjust the report in the light of any comments. This procedure applies to all inspection reports.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Minister for Justice and her predecessor have visited HM Prison Kilmarnock in the last six years; which sections they visited; how much notice was given of each visit; how long each visit lasted; which Premier Prison Services staff they met; which Scottish Prison Service staff they met; how many prisoners they met; what the outcomes were of these visits, and whether it will publish, and place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, all correspondence related to these visits.

Cathy Jamieson: My predecessor and I have visited HM Prison Kilmarnock on a number of occasions.

  We have seen various facilities and activities and have met a range of members of staff and prisoners.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of plans for the establishment of another privately-run prison; when it expects to issue a tender for this project; where the prison will be located; what criteria will be used in deciding to whom the contract for operating the prison will be allocated; whether Premier Prison Services will be allowed to submit a tender or be awarded any contract, and what the differences will be between this tender and that issued for HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has obtained outline planning permission for a new prison at Addiewell, West Lothian. This prison will be provided and managed by the private sector under contract to the Scottish Prison Service. The procurement process is currently underway. No private sector bidders were excluded from participating in the competition. The tender specification is based on best practice and includes a requirement to contribute to reducing re-offending.

  The SPS is also seeking outline planning permission for a new prison at the site of HM Prison Low Moss, East Dunbartonshire.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has visited HM Prison Kilmarnock in each of the last six years; whether he reported his findings to the Minister for Justice; if so, what these findings were, and, if not, why he has not been instructed to do so.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  I visit prisons including HM Prison Kilmarnock periodically in conducting the business of SPS. I do not routinely report to the minister on particular visits to prisons but provide information on performance against targets and other matters in line with the Framework Document. The key information is contained in SPS's Annual Reports and Accounts which are published and laid before Parliament.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its arrangements are for assessing the performance of Premier Prison Services in respect of its contract with the Scottish Prison Service for running HM Prison Kilmarnock and whether it will place a copy of its own documentation on the contract in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  An SPS Controller team is based at HM Prison Kilmarnock and is responsible for monitoring the performance of Premier Prison Services.

  The contract is published on the SPS website at www.sps.gov.uk.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its procedures are for assessing the Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS) performance in respect of its monitoring and assessment of the performance of HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action the First Minister has taken following the allegations made in the BBC documentary on HM Prison Kilmarnock broadcast on 9 March 2005.

Cathy Jamieson: All aspects of the SPS’s performance are governed by the framework document which is published on the SPS website www.sps.gov.uk .

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice has received my letter regarding the Scottish Prison Service’s closure of the Longriggend Remand Centre and, if so, what action will be taken; what action will be taken to address issues relating to roads and lighting in Upperton Village, and what the reasons are for the minister having not replied to myself or the Upperton Residents’ Association.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  As it raised matters which are my responsibility under the published framework document governing the relationship between SPS and ministers, I replied to the letter on 9 March 2005. The reply set out the position regarding roads and lighting in the area.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the number of lives which could have been saved within HM Prison Kilmarnock had the correct procedures been followed in relation to suicide watches.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  All deaths in custody are regrettable, but it is not possible to provide an estimate of the kind sought because so many factors and issues bear on the behaviour of individuals in a wide variety of circumstances.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken any comparative analysis of the performance of prisons and, if so, whether it will publish the last three such analyses.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The reports of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons into the performance of individual establishments are published routinely. In addition the SPS publishes the analysis of the annual Prisoner Survey.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its Justice Department officials have visited HM Prison Kilmarnock in each of the last six years; what positions they held, and what they reported from each visit and to whom.

Cathy Jamieson: This information is not available since aggregate records are not maintained on the number, purpose and outcome of visits by Justice Department officials to HM Prison Kilmarnock or any other prison.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency has taken following the allegations of drug trafficking and misuse made in the BBC documentary on HM Prison Kilmarnock broadcast on 9 March 2005.

Cathy Jamieson: Any action to be taken following the allegations made in the BBC documentary on HM Prison Kilmarnock is a matter for Strathclyde Police to consider in consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it or its agencies have to expand HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows: The SPS has no such plans.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been to it and its agencies in the current year and each of the past three financial years of monitoring (a) the performance of HM Prison Kilmarnock and (b) its compliance with the contract between the Scottish Prison Service and Premier Prison Services to run the prison.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  (a) I refer the member to the answer to S2W-15474 on 14 April 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search. The costs are not available in the form requested.

  (b) The SPS Controllers, based in HM Prison Kilmarnock, monitor both the prison’s performance and the level of compliance with the contract between SPS and Premier Prison Services. Estimated costs of this monitoring are as follows:

  

Period
Estimated Cost (£)


2003-04
178,000


2002-03
162,000


2001-02
126,000

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislation to reform the powers of the Minister for Justice in respect of the directions which she can issue to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

Cathy Jamieson: Legislation is not required. The authority which ministers delegate to SPS is set out in the Agency's Framework Document. The Framework Document has recently been revised and is available online at http://www.sps.gov.uk/keydocs/framework/default.asp .

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service has provided staff turnover figures for HM Prison Kilmarnock for the current year and each of the last three financial years and, if so, what the figures are.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS does not hold this information as staffing matters at HM Prison Kilmarnock are a matter for Premier Prison Services.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who takes the final decision in respect of when a report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on an individual establishment is published and what criteria are used when deciding on the publication date.

Cathy Jamieson: HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is independent of ministers and sets the date of publication of reports. The date of publication is dependent on when the report is completed and returned from the printers.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether action should be taken in respect of any criminal activity within HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Cathy Jamieson: It is for the police to investigate any reports of criminality, including those committed within penal establishments.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many suicides have taken place in each prison in each year since May 1999; in how many of these cases fatal accident inquiries identified failure or negligence by prison management as a contributing factor to these deaths; what action was taken as a result, where such failure was identified and whether any prosecutions for negligence took place and, if so, where and when they took place.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The following table breaks down the number of apparent self-inflicted deaths that have taken place in each prison in each financial year since 1999-2000

  

Establishment
Year


1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen
1
0
0
2
0


Barlinnie
5
5
4
3
1


Castle Huntly
0
0
0
0
0


Cornton Vale
0
0
2
1
0


Dumfries
1
0
0
0
0


Edinburgh
2
2
1
0
1


Glenochil
1
1
0
0
1


Greenock
2
1
0
0
0


Inverness
0
1
0
0
1


Kilmarnock
1
1
2
2
1


Low Moss
0
0
0
0
0


Noranside
0
0
0
0
0


Perth
1
0
1
0
0


Peterhead
1
0
0
0
0


Polmont
0
0
1
0
0


Shotts
2
0
0
0
0



  The further information requested is not held centrally.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice authorised oral and written press statements made on 22 March 2005 by (a) the Justice Department, (b) the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and (c) Premier Prison Services regarding the fatal accident inquiry report on the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002.

Cathy Jamieson: Since this was a matter for SPS and Premier Prison Services, no press statements were issued by the Executive. The Executive’s press officers did respond to a small number of media enquiries of a factual nature. I understand that the Scottish Prison Service responded to a number of enquiries following normal practice, and in line with the framework document. I also understand that Premier Prison Services responded to a number of enquiries.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who appointed Professor Kevin Power to review the internal investigation into Premier Prison Services' operating procedures at HM Prison Kilmarnock; who will pay his fee; what his fee is; what the terms of reference of the review are; what the timescale is, and whether his conclusions will be made public.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Since this work has been commissioned and is being funded by Premier Prison Services these questions are matters for the company.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the findings by the fatal accident inquiry by Sheriff Colin McKay on the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002, the Executive will now carry out an independent inquiry into the running of the prison, in particular its procedures for suicide watches, or whether it will request or require HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) to carry out such an investigation.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  HMCIP has recently completed an inspection of HM Prison Kilmarnock which is due for publication on 26 April 2005.

  I refer the member to the answers to S2W-15552 and S2W-15194, answered 14 April 2005 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the staff turnover figures for each prison in each of the last six years.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Figures are not available before 2000.

  

 
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Aberdeen
5
11
9
15
14


Barlinnie
32
38
28
32
31


Castle Huntly
4
1
2
4
1


Cornton Vale
20
24
16
19
17


Dumfries
6
7
9
7
9


Edinburgh
29
44
30
23
26


Glenochil
12
23
9
12
10


Greenock
14
10
12
12
9


Inverness
5
14
6
6
8


Low Moss
3
12
10
7
3


Noranside
3
3
4
1
1


Perth
17
30
25
18
24


Peterhead
17
31
12
9
12


Polmont
14
21
19
15
14


Shotts
14
35
14
19
23"

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers have been dismissed for disciplinary offences in each prison in each of the last five years.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The figures shown in the table reflect dismissals in the establishments stated.

  

Establishment
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen
0
0
0
0


Barlinnie
2
0
0
3


Castle Huntly
1
0
0
0


Cornton Vale
0
1
0
1


Dumfries
0
0
0
2


Edinburgh
0
1
1
0


Glenochil
0
0
0
0


Greenock
1
4
0
0


Inverness
0
0
0
0


Low Moss
1
1
0
0


Noranside
0
0
0
0


Perth
0
1
1
2


Peterhead
1
0
0
0


Polmont
3
0
0
0


Shotts
1
1
0
0"

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of prisoners entering each prison in each of the last three years were deemed to be either drug or alcohol-dependent and what criteria are used for categorising prisoners in this way.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  In the year 2003-04 a cross-sectional sample breakdown of prisoners testing positive to illicit drugs on admission per prison is as follows:

  

Establishment
%


Aberdeen
67


Barlinnie
54


Cornton Vale
100


Dumfries
92


Edinburgh
73


Greenock
74


Inverness
62


Low Moss
50


Perth
70


Polmont
38



  There is no breakdown per prison prior to this. National rates were:

  2001-02 – 75% positive on admission.

  2002-03 – 66% positive on admission.

  Urine testing on admission is one part of the criteria used to determine problem drug use. Prisoners also undergo assessment by addiction services (CAART) to determine levels of need in relation to drug and alcohol problems.

  Figures are not collected for alcohol use. We estimate that around 5% of prisoners require medical intervention on admission for alcohol withdrawal.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) average number of prisoners, (b) prisoner capacity, (c) average number of full-time prison officers and (d) incidence of (i) self harm and (ii) suicides was in each prison in each of the last six years.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  (a) The average number of prisoners located in each prison in the last six years is contained in the SPS Annual Reports which can be found at www.sps.gov.uk .

  (b) The average design capacity in each prison in each of the last six years is as follows:

  

Establishment
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen
163
163
162
155
154


Barlinnie
943
943
952
1016
1003


Castle Huntly
150
152
151
156
156


Cornton Vale
217
219
230
230
255


Dumfries
150
150
156
175
178


Dungavel*
135
34
0
0
0


Edinburgh
620
597
605
643
748


Glenochil
670
670
670
670
598


Greenock
238
243
250
254
254


Inverness
108
108
108
108
108


Kilmarnock
500
528
548
548
596


Longriggend*
176
15
0
0
0


Low Moss
396
399
389
375
330


Noranside
135
135
135
135
135


Penninghame*
96
0
0
0
0


Perth
526
550
583
593
594


Peterhead
305
305
306
306
306


Polmont
422
422
422
458
609


Shotts
528
528
528
528
528


Zeist**
3
6
6
0
0



  Note:

  *Closed 2000.

  **Closed 2001.

  (c) Average number of full-time prison officers in each of the last six years:

  

Establishment
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen
115
116
111
113
108


Barlinnie
437
433
429
432
433


Castle Huntly
45
44
44
43
41


Cornton Vale
171
170
163
195
181


Dumfries
112
111
109
106
110


Edinburgh
345
338
323
333
333


Glenochil
321
331
332
323
325


Greenock
125
126
127
126
136


Inverness
69
71
68
72
72


Low Moss
112
104
109
124
115


Noranside
44
43
44
39
39


Perth
278
291
288
281
293


Peterhead
176
180
159
143
149


Polmont
240
228
234
234
248


Shotts
300
299
316
297
295



  (d) (i) Incidence of self harm in each prison in each of the last six years.

  (Note: Records have only been kept since 2002-03)

  

Establishment
(i) Self Harm


2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen
18
21


Barlinnie
34
33


Castle Huntly
0
0


Cornton Vale
115
100


Dumfries
5
5


Edinburgh
28
25


Glenochil
10
5


Greenock
26
21


Inverness
9
7


Kilmarnock
*
*


Low Moss
1
0


Noranside
0
1


Perth
14
6


Peterhead
3
0


Polmont
47
18


Shotts
18
5


Total
328
247



  Note: *=Information not available.

  (d) (ii) Incidence of suicides in each prison in each of the last six years.

  

Establishment
(ii) Apparent self-inflicted Deaths


1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04


Aberdeen
0
1
0
0
2
0


Barlinnie
4
5
5
4
3
1


Castle Huntly
0
0
0
2
0
0


Cornton Vale
1
0
0
0
1
0


Dumfries
0
1
0
0
0
0


Edinburgh
2
2
2
1
0
1


Glenochil
1
1
1
0
0
1


Greenock
2
2
1
0
0
0


Inverness
0
0
1
0
0
1


Kilmarnock
0
1
1
2
2
1


Low Moss
0
0
0
0
0
0


Noranside
0
1
0
0
0
0


Perth
3
0
0
1
0
0


Peterhead
0
1
0
0
0
0


Polmont
0
0
0
1
0
0


Shotts
0
2
0
0
0
0


Longriggend
1
 
 
 
 
 


Total
14
17
11
11
8
5

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the only investigation into the procedures for suicide watches in HM Prison Kilmarnock is the one being carried out internally by Premier Prison Services and, if so, why the Executive has not ordered an independent inquiry.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answers to S2W-15194 and S2W-15552, both answered on 14 April 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what compensation has been, or will be, paid to the family of James Barclay by (a) Premier Prison Services and (b) the Scottish Prison Service in light of the findings of the fatal accident inquiry into the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  This is not a matter for SPS.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice has offered condolences to the family of James Barclay who died whilst in the custody of HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has offered condolences to the family of James Barclay who died whilst in the custody of HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Contact with the families of prisoners who die in custody is a matter for the prison at the time, usually through the offices of the prison Chaplaincy team who have considerable experience in dealing with the often distressing and sensitive issues which surround such deaths.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many breaches of its contract with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to run HM Prison Kilmarnock there have been in each of the last six years by Premier Prison Services (PPS); what the nature of such breaches was; what disciplinary action was taken as a result, and what penalties were imposed on PPS by the SPS.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  There have been no breaches of the contract, so the considerations referred to in the question have not arisen.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what training is provided for officers in HM Prison Kilmarnock on completing a reception risk assessment form and whether any officer who has not had such training has been responsible for the completion of such a form at any time during the last three years.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  These are matters for Premier Prison Services.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether every prisoner entering HM Prison Kilmarnock since January 2002 has been examined by a nurse; what examinations are undertaken by the nurse, and what role the nurse plays in assessing whether a prisoner may be at risk of self-harm or suicide.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  In accordance with Rule 8 of The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994 (as amended) a health care examination is undertaken for every prisoner admitted into a prison.

  The health care examination includes assessments of previous and current physical health; previous and current mental health; present domestic circumstances; previous and current drug misuse, and current demeanour and mood. This examination also includes an assessment of self-harm.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been to admission procedures within HM Prison Kilmarnock since January 2002.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Director’s Rules have been updated and approved by SPS and now include a checklist to assist staff in identifying prisoners at risk.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether procedures have been introduced at HM Prison Kilmarnock to ensure that, where a "red card" has been issued by the police to indicate that a prisoner is at risk, the prisoner will be placed on the appropriate watch.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether procedures have been introduced in HM Prison Kilmarnock to ensure that any "red cards" issued by the police to indicate that a prisoner is at risk are passed to both the officer completing the reception risk assessment form and the nurse responsible for examining the prisoner on admission.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  This procedure has been updated and the "red card" system is no longer in use. Relevant details are contained in the Personal Escort Record.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers in HM Prison Kilmarnock have been disciplined since January 2002 for falsifying watch logs.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers in HM Prison Kilmarnock have been disciplined since January 2002 for failing to carry out watches.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of those who held senior management positions in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002 and who, according to the fatal accident report on the death of James Barclay in January 2002, "showed a careless or even negligent disregard for securing compliance with the Director’s Rules" are still in post.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows: The SPS does not hold this information as staffing issues at HM Prison Kilmarnock are a matter for Premier Prison Services.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has checked, as part of his most recent inspection of the prison, whether the watch logs in HM Prison Kilmarnock are being falsified.

Cathy Jamieson: HM Chief Inspector of Prisons checked the "High Risk Assessment Observation and Support Records" (referred to by staff as "watch logs") as part of his most recent inspection of Kilmarnock. He had no reason to believe that the entries were anything other than authentic.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has checked whether the watches in HM Prison Kilmarnock are now properly carried out.

Cathy Jamieson: The report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on his inspection of HM Prison Kilmarnock between 25 October and 2 November 2004 will be published on 26 April. Inspection of anti-suicide procedures is always part of inspections and will continue to be so.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the turnover of staff employed at health centres in prisons has been in each of the last six years, broken down by prison.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The figures in the table reflect the turnover of health centre staff for the last five financial years. Figures for earlier years are not available.

  

Establishment
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Aberdeen
0
3
3
1
4


Barlinnie
4
8
14
13
8


Cornton Vale
3
8
3
2
3


Dumfries
0
1
1
0
0


Edinburgh
5
7
9
3
10


Glenochil
0
1
2
0
1


Greenock
1
1
1
3
4


Inverness
1
0
1
2
1


Low Moss
1
2
2
0
0


Perth
2
3
5
5
5


Peterhead
2
1
1
0
1


Polmont
6
1
1
3
3


Shotts
8
2
1
0
4"

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners admitted to HM Prison Kilmarnock since January 2002 have not been examined by a registered mental health nurse.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows: The SPS does not hold this information.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many registered mental health nurses are currently employed in HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS does not hold this information as staffing issues at HM Prison Kilmarnock are a matter for Premier Prison Services.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a registered mental health nurse was employed in HM Prison Kilmarnock between 1 and 11 January 2002.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS does not hold this information as staffing issues at HMP Kilmarnock are a matter for Premier Prison Services.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Premier Prison Services has at all times met its contractual commitments in respect of employing one or more registered mental health nurses.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Yes.

Roads

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Highland Council regarding the funding of the Inverness Southern Distributor Road connecting the A96 and the A9 to the A82.

Nicol Stephen: There have been discussions between the Executive and Highland Council about this road project but, as the route is the responsibility of the local authority, no direct approach for funding.

Roads

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost has been of the Trunk Roads Network Management Division in each year since 1999; how many staff were employed in the division in each year; how many of the division's staff will be transferred to the proposed National Transport Agency, and how the process of selection of staff will be managed.

Nicol Stephen: The annual costs and staff numbers of the Trunk Roads Network Management Division, in each year since 1999, is set out in the table.

  

Year
(Direct Running Cost) Staff
Consultants
Overall Total


Cost
Staff Numbers
Cost
Staff Numbers
Costs
Staff Numbers


1999
£836,000
45
£288,000
9
£1,124,000
54


2000
£1,377,000
51
£410,000
10
£1,787,000
61


2001
£1,451,000
51
£579,000
13
£2,030,000
64


2002
£1,508,000
51
£603,100
16
£2,111,100
67


2003
£1,535,000
51
£680,100
12
£2,215,100
63


2004
£1,673,000
50
£720,100
13
£2,393,100
63



  The national transport agency for Scotland is due to be up and running by the end of 2005. Final staffing structures within the agency are still to be determined. It is anticipated that all posts in the Trunk Roads Network Management Division will be transferred to the transport agency.

  It is not clear at this stage how many staff will elect to move to the transport agency which will be relocated in Glasgow by April 2007. Any vacancies arising will be filled in accordance with the Scottish Executive’s resourcing policy.

  The division is currently in the process of recruiting specialist staff for current vacancies, on the basis that this activity will be based in Glasgow in the future.

School Meals

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to local authorities (a) has been in the last five years and (b) will be in the next five years to administer and process applications for eligibility for free school meals and whether such administration and processing costs have been included in any previous answers to questions on the cost of the free school meals programme.

Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive provides local authorities with funding to administer their school meals service. Administrative costs vary between authorities depending on local priorities, with different authorities allocating different elements and amounts of expenditure to school meals. This information is not held centrally by the Executive.

  The estimated total cost of free school meals for the last five years was as follows: £33.4 million in 1999-00; £29.3 million in 2000-01; £28.7 million in 2001-02; £27.5 million in 2002-03, and £29 million in 2003-04. The Executive does not make projections regarding the cost of free school meals for future years.

School Meals

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to which companies each local authority tenders out the supply of school meals and what the value is of each tender.

Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive provides local authorities with funding to administer their school meals service. It is a matter for local authorities to determine the nature of how their school meals are supplied.

Schools

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to (a) motivate and (b) ensure that there are safe routes for children to walk to school, as referred to in Let’s Make Scotland More Active.

Nicol Stephen: The Executive funds the employment of Active School Managers, Active School Co-ordinators and School Travel Co-ordinators in each local authority area. Active School Co-ordinators are preparing a coherent programme of high-quality opportunities for children to be active for one hour a day including travel to and from school. School Travel Co-ordinators in most local authority areas are planning events for this year’s "walk to school week" in May and the Executive’s "choose the school walk" posters will be used to promote many of these events. The Executive has profiled the issue of safe and active travel to school through our healthyliving communications campaign.

  Local authorities have been awarded allocations totalling £26.61 million over this and the next two financial years for Safer Routes to School and Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets projects. Over the same period allocations totalling £33.9 million have been awarded for 20mph speed limits around schools and related safety projects.

Scottish Criminal Record Office

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times fingerprint evidence prepared by the Scottish Criminal Record Office has been withheld or withdrawn in a trial in (a) each of the last two years and (b) the current year to date.

Colin Boyd QC: I refer to the answer given to S2W-3454, answered on 12 November 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament/webapp/wa.search .

  There are a number of reasons why a prosecutor may decide not to use evidence in court. I am not aware of any case in the last two years (including the current year to date) other than that of Mark Sinclair, which concluded at the High Court in Ayr in October 2003, in which the Crown has decided not to use fingerprint evidence provided by the Scottish Criminal Records Office following a challenge to that evidence by a defence expert.

Water Industry

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that information on the condition of dams and reservoirs is easily accessible to the public, local planners and other interested parties.

Lewis Macdonald: The safety of a reservoir is a matter for the reservoir undertaker (generally the owner of the reservoir). Local authorities, as enforcement authorities for reservoir safety in Scotland, have a duty under the Reservoirs Act 1975 to maintain a public register of all large raised reservoirs in their area and to submit biennial reports to the Scottish Executive on any steps taken to ensure that reservoir owners observe and comply with the requirements of the act. The biennial reports received by the Executive indicate that these arrangements are working satisfactorily.

Water Industry

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent information and assessments on the flood risk relating to each dam and reservoir are publicly available and where such information can be obtained.

Lewis Macdonald: The flood category of reservoirs subject to the Reservoirs Act 1975 is determined by specialist engineers using guidance published by the Institution of Civil Engineers, Floods and Reservoir Safety, 3rd edition 1996 . The degree of resilience required by a dam or its spillway capacity is determined by the potential hazard to life and property downstream. Flood risk category is not required to be stated on the public register of large raised reservoirs maintained by the enforcement authorities under the act – local authorities in Scotland - though this information will be known by the reservoir undertaker.

Water Industry

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which public authorities are responsible for carrying out safety inspections of dams and reservoirs; what the scope is of such inspections, and where the relevant reports can be obtained.

Lewis Macdonald: Reservoir safety is a matter for the reservoir undertaker. The Reservoirs Act 1975 places a duty on undertakers requiring all large raised reservoirs (those capable of storing more than 25,000 cubic metres of water above natural ground level) to be:

  overseen at all times by a qualified civil engineer drawn from the Supervising Engineers panel (one of four panels of qualified civil engineers established under the 1975 Act), and

  inspected and reported on at least every ten years by a qualified civil engineer drawn from one of the other three approved panels, with any recommendations made as a result of such inspection - as to measures to be taken in the interests of safety - requiring to be implemented.

  Local authorities, as enforcement authorities under the 1975 act, have duties under the act to maintain a public register of all large raised reservoirs in their area, to enforce the measures stipulated in the act, and to submit biennial reports to the Scottish Executive on any steps taken to secure that reservoir undertakers observe and comply with the requirements of the act.

Water Supply

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the difference in toxicity is between naturally-occurring fluoride and the type of fluoride which would be added to the public water supply.

Mr Andy Kerr: Generally there is no difference in toxicity but there can be some minor variation in the naturally occurring fluoride depending on the chemical make up of its source.

  There is no indication of toxicological concern for either the concentrations of fluoride ions or related chemical species, naturally or artificially added, in UK public drinking water supplies.

Wildlife

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will employ to determine whether Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) licence application for a trial reintroduction of European beavers is approved.

Lewis Macdonald: The SNH licence application will be determined under section 16(4)(c) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Before reaching a decision on the application ministers will take into consideration all relevant factors, including the specific location and topography of the proposed release site, the risks associated with the proposed release, the expected economic and scientific benefits together with the management arrangements for such a trial and the conservation status of the European Beaver.